Time To Get Up!

I’ve always loved reading Garfield and this little strip caught my attention last evening. I know I am a tad biased – ok, very – but doesn’t it remind you about the message of Archippus Awakening?

Last October (2013), after the Lord instructed me to step down from my pastoral position, I sought Him for what He had prepared for me. The Lord spoke through Jer 1:10-11. Jeremiah was asked by God, “What do you see?” and the young man answered, “I see a branch of an almond tree.” When I researched more deeply about the significance of the almond tree, I discovered that it was commonly referred to as the “awake” tree as it was the first to blossom in spring. That was when the Lord said, “The Church is asleep. I am about to do another awakening and I want you to be a part of it.”

My response was simply, “Lord, that’s wonderful. But what kind of awakening would it be? If the people do not know what they are awakened to, it is only a matter of time before they fall back asleep!” The Lord chose to remain silent that I would seek Him even more diligently for the answer. On the morning of 27 Oct 2013, He led me to Col 4:17 … “And say to Archippus, ‘Take heed to the ministry which you have received in the Lord that you may fulfil it.'” Immediately, I knew the awakening I am to be involved in would be an Archippus Awakening, where the saints are to be awakened that they may know and fulfil their God-given kingdom assignments.

Without knowing our assignments, it is all too easy to remain comfortable and in slumber. After all, why be so fanatical? Why get up at all? And so, many are satisfied with their church attendance and participation but remain clueless about the assignments the Lord has prepared for them. And every once in a while, a good church camp, retreat or conference serves to provide the stirring and spiritual oomph; and then it’s back to the normal church routine, back to sleep. But is that what it’s all about? What are we being awakened to? Why should we even want to get up?

Eph 2:10 says, “For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God has prepared beforehand that we should walk in them.” Indeed, God has assignments prepared for every believer. If we would seek to know what these are, it would radically change the way we live for Jesus and how we priorities our time, energy and resources! Each day, regardless how tired (or lazy) we feel, how it difficult it might be to get out of bed on a nice cool rainy morning, we will be up and about for the sake of fulfilling our God-given assignments, for the sake of His name and glory! Without doubt, we are to be awakened that we may be aligned and then assigned!

It didn’t take Garfield too long to get up when Jon announced, “Pancakes!” Dear friends, allow me to encourage you that it will be more than pancakes that await us. It will be kingdom rewards for kingdom servants who are found faithful to fulfil all the Lord has assigned to us. Jesus Himself declares in Rev 22:12, “And behold, I am coming quickly, and My reward is with Me, to give to every one according to his work.”

Dear Archippus, it’s time to get up!